superdan54
I don't know if z3ta is the best example, Noel specifically mentioned Drum Replacer & VocalSync as examples.

 
But he also said maybe they would not have been included. The problem is no one, including Cakewalk, knows exactly what will appear in the future. As a result they will have to decide on a case-by-case basis. There have been things CW planned to do that didn't pan out and were shelved, and other things they that just kind of came out of nowhere and became part of the program. There's absolutely no way CW can make set-in-stone predictions about the future.
 
What Brian Walton wrote shows insight into the reality of the situation:
 
"Well they didn't offer Rapture Pro as part of the package and that was 'rolled out' during the subscription model.
 
"I think Cake is smart enough to know that it will have to continue to include the occasional special feature (drum replacer, vocal sync) as part of the package to catch the eye of more new users.  I'd expect them to pick and choose a little bit, just like they did with Rapture Pro.....where they gave us Rapture Session instead and Pro as a paid add on if you so choose."
 
Also CW has to assess the reaction to the Platinum lifetime updates before taking the whole process to the next level. I think virtually no one who buys into the Platinum lifetime updates will be disappointed in terms of getting value for money. What I wonder is why anyone would rather pay for yearly renewals when they can pay once and not have to pay again. If they only use SONAR for 18 more months they still come out ahead.
 
For Platinum users, I'll echo all those here who find buying the lifetime updates a no-brainer. It remains to be seen what happens with the rest of the programs and update options. Those haven't been announced yet. I assume that will happen on August 31st, after Cakewalk has had a chance to take stock of how this initiative fared.
 
It wouldn't surprise me if ultimately, some add-ons that are unique (i.e., no one would have something similar from another company) would be considered an update for Platinum users but not Artist. Basically, that's the way things are now, except in the future there would be much more choice overall.

Anderton
What I wonder is why anyone would rather pay for yearly renewals when they can pay once and not have to pay again. If they only use SONAR for 18 more months they still come out ahead.

Totally agree Craig. My only hesitation was that having used Cakewalk products for 20 years plus, I have been absolutely thrilled with the rollout over the past 18 months,  and the inclusions have encouraged me to integrate features that I probably never would have otherwise.  Yes - an old dog learned a couple of new tricks! I was quite happy to continue paying yearly if there were more inclusions. There aren't, so the lifetime package represents a stunningly good deal.
 
I reckon I have about 10 years till gig retirement - but who's to say I'll stop using Sonar then:)

Anderton
What I wonder is why anyone would rather pay for yearly renewals when they can pay once and not have to pay again. If they only use SONAR for 18 more months they still come out ahead.

Well, I can answer that straight away. My cost to go lifetime is around £150. Which is a good price. However, I don't have £150 going spare, and I might well not have any time before the end of August.
 
But this has wandered off the point. The thread isn't asking for more talk about whether the lifetime membership is a good deal or not.
 
As it stands, the fact of the matter is this. An annual / monthly membership for Platinum is about 50% more expensive than an annual / monthly membership for professional. But based on what's being said, it will not actually include anything new that won't also be in Professional.
 
I'd really like to see this addressed with some clarity.

John T
As it stands, the fact of the matter is this. An annual / monthly membership for Platinum is about 50% more expensive than an annual / monthly membership for professional. But based on what's being said, it will not actually include anything new that won't also be in Professional.
 
I'd really like to see this addressed with some clarity.

Really? I presumed there was still to be a separate update package for each version John. I see your point about the disparity if there isn't. You could almost say the lifetime offer is the payoff for this, which doesn't help anyone that can't take it up in the next 90 days. 
From all of the info it seems things are still very much in flux.  Hopefully someone will address these concerns soon. They are certainly measurable and quite different from the speculative threads that have filled the forum.

yup a little confused here too.
lets hope for more info to clear the details up.

This is a bit of a vain hope, I suppose, but I can't help feeling that these kinds of things could be worked out and cleared up a lot easier if there weren't all these "CAKEWALK SUDDENLY SELLS SOUL TO SATAN AND RIPS EVERYONE OFF" threads for them to firefight.

Oh what tangled webs.

Oh man you guys are way overthinking this and confusing yourselves and others with these mile long threads.
 
Its very simple...
 
Lifetime updates = Annual updates x infinity
 
When you buy SONAR as a new user or as an upgrader we have always had some bundled extra's including 3rd party ones. We will continue to do so.  Now I'm speculating here myself since we haven't hit that point in time yet, but in SUBSEQUENT years after the first year of the lifetime membership, any extras that have been added at that time, or new HIGH cost features, may or may not be offered free. The final decision for this is solely Cakewalk's of course, but the chances are very high that most add on's will be considered core features or be offered at highly discounted prices to lifetime members. Lifetime members are treated as premium valued customers so we want to give them the maximum value. As has been said countless times - we believe in happy customers.
 
Now in response to the question of whether we will offer both lifetime and annual plans simultaneously, the answer is no. It would be too confusing to users and it provides no extra value to them. During the period that lifetime updates are being offered we will not offer an annual membership sku for new customers as well as existing users upgrading their membership.
 
You can see that today on our store here. If you buy Platinum as a NEW customer this is what you get:

 
http://www.cakewalk.com/P...w/SONAR-Platinum#start

Lifetime Updates included

When you buy this version of SONAR Platinum, you will receive every new core feature, enhancement, and even fixes for all future versions of SONAR
Limited time offer: Lifetime Updates will be available only through August 31, 2016. Act now to secure your lifetime updates. Pricing and availability subject to change.

 
On the other hand if you are renewing SONAR platinum membership you get this:
 

http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Renew
Add Lifetime Updates to SONAR Platinum which includes new core features, enhancements, and fixes for future versions of SONAR. 

 
Notice that in both new user and upgrade cases only lifetime updates are being offered as opposed to an annual membership plan. I hope this clarifies the strategy going forward.
 
 
 

Thank You Noel for the clarification!
They'll still be confused
 
T

It doesn't really answer my question. I'm on the monthly plan, and am likely to stay on it. From this point going forward, what does the Platinum monthly membership offer than the Professional monthly membership doesn't?